Advanced Backgammon Rules

Beavers

In certain games, a common rule allows ‘beavers’ – this
is the right for a player to redouble when offered the doubling cube and
keeping the cube instead if giving it back up (However, for this
to apply, the redouble must be called before the originally doubling
player rolls the dice). If you employ this beaver rule, the stakes of the
game can rise spectacularly. When you play online you are usually allowed
the option of allowing or disallowing the use of beavers before you
begin a game.

The Jacoby Rule

This rule makes gammons and backgammons
count for their respective double and triple points if, and only if, the
doubling cube has been used at least once in the game. This presents a
player with a large lead over the opponent to double , and naturally provides
a likely opportunity to bring the game to a quick conclusion, rather than
have the player pin his hopes on a gammon or backgammon to see the game
drag on to the bitter end.

The Crawford Rule

This rule states that when
a player is one single point away from winning a match, neither player
may use the doubling cube for a single game, called the “Crawford
Game”. As soon as the Crawford Game is over, the doubling cube may
be used as normal in further games.

Automatic Doubles

When Automatic Doubles
are employed, any re-rolls that players make at the very start of the game
(when each player rolls one die) have the knock-on effect of causing a
doubling. So, a 3-3 roll, followed by a 5-5 roll, followed by a re-roll
of 1-4 that begins the game in earnest, will cause the game to be played
from the beginning with 4 times normal stakes. The doubling cube stays
in the middle, with both players having access to it.

Automatic Doubles are common in money games (upon agreement). However,
they are never used in match play.